Greetings,
The unrelenting pace of technological evolution is reshaping every branch of science today. The field of medicine has received its share of influences from this change. While it has benefited greatly from recent advances in technology, regrettably, the advances have also brought with them a number of negative influences on medical practitioners. The most important aspect of practicing medicine, the science and art of diagnosis, is increasingly outsourced and handed off blindly to technology, while doctors lack in understanding fundamental elements of the science.Please do not get me wrong; I am not at all against modern technology. On the contrary, I believe we are luckier than ever to have the large plethora of devices supporting our practice as medical doctors and surgeons. I am against the pervasive laziness in medical practice today that skips the foundational elements of the medical science and induces on patients unnecessary wastes of time, money, health, effort and will. I am against approaches that result in excessive stress until a favourable resolution of the patient’s ailment is finally obtained.
“First, do not harm” - Hippocratic Oath.
It starts with making the right diagnosis. The only way to do that is by listening to the patient’s problem, performing a detailed physical examination and filtering both the "story" and the physical symptoms through an analytical, experience-driven mental framework. Only then can further tests illuminate the details and contribute positively to a way forward. I continue to see a well established patient-doctor relationship as the fundamental asset in any treatment process.
Over my nearly 30-year medical career, I have formed a set of guidelines that direct my every move and decision in my practice:
Build a healthy channel of communication with the patient. Everyone, layman or otherwise, can understand any scientific concept when explained properly and without unnecessary jargon.
Medical practice is as much an art as it is a science, and serving the patient is at the heart of its art. The doctor must not act condescending towards the patient. Academic titles and other accomplishments have nothing to do with the art of serving. You must devote and invest enough time to listening to the patient. Performing a thorough physical examination is more important than any generic lab test, no matter how advanced.You must evaluate the symptoms analytically and abstain from ordering unnecessary tests.You must take as long as necessary to reach the right diagnosis that makes sense and explains the symptoms in light of years of experience.You must be sure before suggesting and deciding on a surgery. The safest and most reliable surgery is one that is never performed.Do not ever perform a surgery for the money. A good medical practitioner and surgeon will always make plenty of money to enjoy life with his family. This has nothing to do with medical ethics; it follows directly from being an upholding citizen and a decent human being.
The unrelenting pace of technological evolution is reshaping every branch of science today. The field of medicine has received its share of influences from this change. While it has benefited greatly from recent advances in technology, regrettably, the advances have also brought with them a number of negative influences on medical practitioners. The most important aspect of practicing medicine, the science and art of diagnosis, is increasingly outsourced and handed off blindly to technology, while doctors lack in understanding fundamental elements of the science.Please do not get me wrong; I am not at all against modern technology. On the contrary, I believe we are luckier than ever to have the large plethora of devices supporting our practice as medical doctors and surgeons. I am against the pervasive laziness in medical practice today that skips the foundational elements of the medical science and induces on patients unnecessary wastes of time, money, health, effort and will. I am against approaches that result in excessive stress until a favourable resolution of the patient’s ailment is finally obtained.
“First, do not harm” - Hippocratic Oath.
It starts with making the right diagnosis. The only way to do that is by listening to the patient’s problem, performing a detailed physical examination and filtering both the "story" and the physical symptoms through an analytical, experience-driven mental framework. Only then can further tests illuminate the details and contribute positively to a way forward. I continue to see a well established patient-doctor relationship as the fundamental asset in any treatment process.
Over my nearly 30-year medical career, I have formed a set of guidelines that direct my every move and decision in my practice:
Build a healthy channel of communication with the patient. Everyone, layman or otherwise, can understand any scientific concept when explained properly and without unnecessary jargon.
Medical practice is as much an art as it is a science, and serving the patient is at the heart of its art. The doctor must not act condescending towards the patient. Academic titles and other accomplishments have nothing to do with the art of serving. You must devote and invest enough time to listening to the patient. Performing a thorough physical examination is more important than any generic lab test, no matter how advanced.You must evaluate the symptoms analytically and abstain from ordering unnecessary tests.You must take as long as necessary to reach the right diagnosis that makes sense and explains the symptoms in light of years of experience.You must be sure before suggesting and deciding on a surgery. The safest and most reliable surgery is one that is never performed.Do not ever perform a surgery for the money. A good medical practitioner and surgeon will always make plenty of money to enjoy life with his family. This has nothing to do with medical ethics; it follows directly from being an upholding citizen and a decent human being.
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Tel: 0 312 428 3737 Faks: 0 312 428 3738